Wet Vacuum Switchable Pump System

ABSTRACT

The wet vacuum switchable pump system includes a pump having a suction port and a pressure head port. A valving system controllably couples the suction port and the head port with a valved output port coupled to an upper port on an elongated tank laid upon its side. The valving system includes an exhaust line and a feed line. The valving system, in one modality, communicably couples the suction port and the valved output-tank whilst independently communicably coupling the pressure head port with the exhaust line. In a second modality. the head port is in communication with the valved output-tank concurrent with a second independent communication between the suction port and the feed line. The tank includes a lower port coupled to a hose and nozzle combination for suction/expulsion of fluid and slurry.

The present application is a regular patent application based upon and claiming the priority of provisional patent application Serial No. 60/693,928 filed Jun. 24, 2005, now pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wet vacuum switchable pump system.

Oftentimes, it is necessary to suction up fluid or slurry and temporarily store the liquid or slurry in a large barrel-type tank. Also, it is difficult to empty the contents of a tank without the use of a secondary pumping system. The present invention solves these problems.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wet vacuum switchable pump system configured to initially suction or vacuum up fluid or slurry and store the same in a tank and then, after the operator changes the valving system, to evacuate or eject the fluid or slurry from the temporary storage tank.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an elongated tank laid upon its side and mounted on a frame with wheels to enable the operator to move the pump (also mounted on the frame) and the tank.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vertical tube extending the height of the tank laid upon its side, wherein the tube is intermediate the lower, fluid tank drain and the hose-nozzle combination, to limit back flow into the tank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The wet vacuum switchable pump system includes a pump having a suction port and a pressure head port. A valving system is coupled to the suction port and the head port. The valving system includes an exhaust line and a feed line and a valved output port. The valved output port of the valving system is mounted to an upper port in an upper region of an elongated tank laid upon its side. The valving system, in one modality, establishes a first communication between the pump's suction port and the valved output port (coupled to the upper port of the tank) concurrent with an independent communication between the pump's pressure head port and the exhaust line. In a second modality of operation, the head port from the pump is in communication with the valved output port (the upper port for the tank) concurrent with a second independent communication path between the suction port and the feed line. The valving system is switchable between the first and second modalities of operation. The elongated tank is laid upon its side and includes a lower port in its lower region. A hose and nozzle combination is coupled to the lower port of the tank. In the first valve mode or modality, the pump and tank system draws fluid therein via the hose and nozzle combination (the suction port communicating with the tank's upper port) and, in the second mode or modality, the pump and tank system expels fluid from the tank via the hose and nozzle (the pressure head port communicating with the tank's upper port).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a side elevational view of the wet vacuum switchable pump system;

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a detailed view of the valving system and the pump and an upper portion of the tank;

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a hydraulic pneumatic schematic of the system; and

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a different valving system with a complex valve rather than the two valve system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a wet vacuum switchable pump system. FIGS. 1 and 2 are concurrently discussed herein. Similar numerals designate similar items throughout the drawings.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the wet vacuum switchable pump system 10 having a tank 12 which is approximately the size of a common oil barrel. Tank 12 is laid on its side and is removably mounted on a frame 14. Frame 14 includes base frame 16 (generally rectangular) which is elevated above the ground by a set of wheels, one of which is wheel 18. The wheels permit the tank to be moved (establishing mobility). Frame 14 has several uprights, one of which is upright 20 and a second of which is upright 22. Frame 14 also includes an upper lateral frame member 24. Mounted to upper frame member 24 is a pump 26 having a suction port 28 and a pressure head port 30. Pump 26 preferably is electrically powered with 120 volts, 13 amps. Other pumps may be utilized. An important aspect of the present invention is that suction point 28 and pressure head port 30 is coupled to a valving system 35 which, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, includes two valves 36, 38. A valving system with single valve is shown in FIG. 4. The valved output of valves 36, 38 is generally identified as a valved output port 40 leading to a coupler system 42 and ultimately leading to upper port 44 of tank 12. A small downward support stem 46 extends at an intermediate position on upper frame member 24 to support pump 26 during operation and potentially reduce or dampen the vibration in system 10.

Tank 12 has a lower port 50 which is in fluid communication with hose and nozzle combination 52. Hose and nozzle combination 52 may include up to 25 feet of hose. In order to reduce or eliminate back flow, a vertical pipe or tube 54 extends the height of tank 12 when the tank is laid upon its side such that the proximal terminal end 56 of hose and nozzle combination 52 is mounted above the height of tank 12. This vertical tube eliminates or reduces back flow.

As shown in FIG. 2, wherein the upper lateral bar 24 is partially broken away, frame 14 includes laterally extending hand bars 60,62 that enable the operator to move system 10 on wheel 18. Bars 60,62 are normal to bar 24.

Valving system 35, which includes first and second valves 38, 36 in FIGS. 1 and 2, operates in the following manner. Valve 38 has a feed port or line 70. Valve 36 has an exhaust line 72. In one operational mode or modality, the operator positions control handles 74, 76 associated with valves 36, 38 in such a position that first valve 38 has a communications channel open to the valved output port 40 and establishes pneumatic communication with suction port 28 of pump 26 with valved output 40. In that same first mode of operation, valve 36 has its control handle 74 positioned such that exhaust line 72 is in pneumatic communication with pressure head port 30 of pump 26. This latter communication is independent of suction-to-valved-output channel. In the first mode of operation, valve 36 has closed its internal valving system to the valved output port 40. As a result, a suction or vacuum below the atmospheric pressure is created in the valved output port 40 as well as the top region and the entire interior of tank 12. Gas is expelled from tank 12 by pump 26 due to the gas exiting pressure head port 30, passing through valve 36 and exiting exhaust line or port 72.

Fluid is drawn into tank 12 through the hose and nozzle combination 52 and into the lower port 50 of tank 12 due to the vacuum in the tank.

In the second mode of operation or second modality, the operator changes the position of control levers 74, 76 for valves 36, 38 such that the pressure head port 30 of pump 26 is in pneumatic communication with the valved output port 40 via second valve 36. In the second modality, the exit line 72 is closed by valve 36. In the second modality, first valve 38 is closed to the valved output port 40 but permits a pneumatic communication between feed line 70 and suction port 28 of pump 26. In this manner, pump 26 establishes a pressure head or an above atmospheric pressure at head port 30. This pressure head is transferred through valve 36 to the valved output port 40 and ultimately into the tank 12 via upper port 44. Fluid or slurry contained in tank 12 is ejected from the tank via lower port 50, vertical tube 54 and the hose and nozzle configuration 52. Air is drawn into the system in the second mode of operation since feed line 70 is in pneumatic communication via valve 38 with suction port 28 of pump 26.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows the pneumatic and fluid diagram in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Valves 36, 38 in the illustration FIG. 3 have controls which are ganged together via control bar 37 a. A single control throw changes valves 36, 38 with the ganged control system. Electrical power 80 is supplied to pump 26.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a valving system with a single, complex valve 35 a. Complex valve 35 a has ports coupled to pressure head port 30 P+ and suction or vacuum port 28 P−. The output of valve 35 a is the valved output port 40 leading to upper port 44 of tank 12. Feed line 70 and exhaust line 72 are also pneumatically coupled or defined by valve 35 a. Lines 70, 72 may be defined by portals on valves 36, 38.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

1. A wet vacuum switchable pump system comprising: a pump having a suction port and a pressure head port, said pump, when activated, respectively generating a vacuum at said suction port and a pressure head at said pressure head port; a valving system coupled to said suction port and said head port and having an exhaust line and a feed line and an valved output port, said valving system having a first modality establishing a first communication between said suction port and said valved output port concurrent with a first independent communication between said head port and said exhaust line; and having a second modality establishing a second communication between said head port and said valved output port concurrent with a second independent communication between said suction port and said feed line; an elongated tank laid upon its side with an upper port in its upper region and a lower port in its lower region, said upper port coupled to said valved output port; and, a hose and nozzle combination coupled to said lower port of said tank; wherein, when said valving system is in said first modality, said pump and tank system draws fluid therein and, in said second modality, said pump and tank system expels fluid therefrom.
 2. A wet vacuum pump system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valving system includes an operator control to change the modality of said valving system from said first modality permitting system suction via said hose and nozzle combination and said second modality permitting fluid expulsion from said hose and nozzle combination.
 3. A wet vacuum pump system as claimed in claim 1 including a vertical tube mounted intermediate said lower port of said tank and said hose and nozzle combination, said vertical tube extending at least the height of said elongated tank laid upon its side to limit backflow into said tank.
 4. A wet vacuum pump system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valving system includes a first and a second valve, said first valve coupled to said suction port and defining said feed line, said first valve having a first valve output port coupled to said upper port of said tank, said second valve coupled to said head port and defining said exhaust line and having a second valve output port coupled to said upper port of said tank, valving system includes operator controls to change the modality of said first and second valves of said valving system from said first modality permitting system suction via said hose and nozzle combination and said second modality permitting fluid expulsion from said hose and nozzle combination.
 5. A wet vacuum pump system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said operator controls are ganged to cause said first and second valves to change modalities concurrently.
 6. A wet vacuum pump system as claimed in claim 1 including a frame upon which is mounted said elongated tank laid upon its side and said pump further mounted on said frame, said frame coupled to wheels enabling tank, pump and frame mobility.
 7. A wet vacuum pump system as claimed in claim 2 including a vertical tube mounted intermediate said lower port of said tank and said hose and nozzle combination, said vertical tube extending at least the height of said elongated tank laid upon its side to limit backflow into said tank.
 8. A wet vacuum pump system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said valving system includes a first and a second valve, said first valve coupled to said suction port and defining said feed line, said first valve having a first valve output port coupled to said upper port of said tank, said second valve coupled to said head port and defining said exhaust line and having a second valve output port coupled to said upper port of said tank, said operator control includes two operator controls, one for each of said first and second valves, to change the modality of said first and second valves from said first modality permitting system suction via said hose and nozzle combination and said second modality permitting fluid expulsion from said hose and nozzle combination.
 9. A wet vacuum pump system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said operator controls are ganged to cause said first and second valves to change modalities concurrently.
 10. A wet vacuum pump system as claimed in claim 9 including a frame upon which is mounted said elongated tank laid upon its side and said pump further mounted on said frame, said frame coupled to wheels enabling tank, pump and frame mobility. 